Today we’d like to introduce you to Armand Araque.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Armand. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My journey with photography began in January 2018. My college roommate and a few of my friends from South Florida met up in Jacksonville for a weekend. During one of the days on the trip, my friends had proposed the idea of doing a photoshoot with their new cameras. I wasn’t a great model, but I found the whole concept of photography interesting. Eventually, they pushed me to just try it out and I did.
At first, it was just a hobby and I would go out and take pictures of my friends and family. Over the course of a few months, I became comfortable with the work I was putting out and created a website and social media page. It felt great to receive recognition for my work on social media, but I realized I should’ve been more patient. I was just beginning and knew that I could become an even better photographer with time and effort.
That summer, I didn’t post or market my work. Instead, I focused on improving my photography and editing skills. I spent hours on hours watching YouTube videos, asking fellow photographers for advice, and just focused on my work process. Along the way, I had other friends like Bryan Broughton (AxB Productions) join the photography movement and I think having the support of close friends who were pursuing the same things encouraged me. In the Fall of 2018, I re-started my social media page with a new name and fresh look. I worked hard on developing a style of photography that I enjoyed, and I continue to work on it to this day. Once I found my style and purpose, I began to build my brand by working with other photographers, graphic designers, and artists to enhance my portfolio and brand image. Also, having the opportunity to travel somewhat has helped me expand my business. Today, I am content with my photography, but I strive to learn more and become a better photographer every day.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My journey hasn’t always been easy. I found that the hardest part of my journey was breaking out of my shell. I’m not a very outgoing person, but photography has helped me be more confident and have more of a “go-getter” attitude. Additionally, balancing photography and school has been difficult as well. I had to learn how to manage my time efficiently so that I could perform at my best in whatever I was doing.
Tell us more about your business.
My business is currently based in Tallahassee and my focus is in portrait photography. I use my photography to inspire others to use their creativity and thoughts to create art that they enjoy, and hopefully for others to enjoy as well. I never thought that I would even be in a position to call myself a “photographer”, but I put my mind to the goal and slowly worked towards achieving it. I love being able to create photos that express raw emotion at a specific moment in time. I have my own style of photography, but I try to encompass the idea of what my clients want and bring that to fruition. I believe that Armand Araque Photography is known for being different. I like to use more subtle tones and darker colors to emphasize the subject of my photos. My style of editing and photography isn’t what everyone likes, but I am okay with that. I am very proud of the way I use the many different aspects of photography to create something that is my own.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
I think that everyone has their definition of success, but I feel that the quality that helps me the most is just being myself and staying humble. As cliché as that may sound, I believe that I am at my best when I’m not worried about what others might think or say. All I care about is putting in my best effort into the photos that I produce, and then hope that they inspire and make others just as happy as I am. Photography brings me happiness, so that is a success in my eyes.
Pricing:
- Casual: 1 hour- $60, 2 hour- $95
- Grad Photos: 1 hour- $80, 2 hour- $125
- Events: Pricing based on size/time of event
Contact Info:
- Website: armandaraquephoto.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: amaphotos
- Facebook: armandaraquephoto
Image Credit:
Photo of me was taken by Bryan Broughton (AxB Productions)
All other photos were taken by me (Armand Araque Photography)
Models: AJ Mensah, Cory Hollingshead, Vanessa Morana, Andrea Gann, Andrea Gonzalez Diaz, Nicholas Saris
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